Fee-Happy Green-Quashers?

Scripps Ranch homeowners invested in solar technology for their homes recently started an email campaign to urge the San Diego City Council to reconsider newly implemented fee increases for solar permits/plan issuance as well as higher expedite fees. According to residents, solar permit fees are six times more expensive after a December increase.

“This is an appallingly regressive move,” said a pair of concerned homeowners in a letter addressed to the city council. “I encourage you to re-think your proposed course of action, particularly in view of the loss of business activity and the taxes derived therefrom that will easily offset the proposed new fees.”

Another homeowner noted that the increases are “….going to negatively impact residents of San Diego who are considering going solar in the future.”

The email-writing effort proved fruitful when District 5 councilmember Carl DeMaio issued a memorandum acknowledging the concerns of constituents. In a memo dated January 8, DeMaio stated, “It would be beneficial if the Sustainable Energy Advisory Board would review these concerns and make recommendations to address the problem if it is determined that such a disincentive does exist.”

The recently increased fee is why I'd rather go solar WITHOUT connecting to the grid, purchasing just a few solar panels at a time. The fact that SDG&E keeps begging to CPUC for more fee increases is enough of a market incentive for me to start taking more and more of my light-load appliances off the grid permanently (http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs...).

For the information of the residents quoted above, there is always the option of forming a electrical cooperative (see California Public Utilities Code sections 2776-2778). Just don't string electrical lines to your neighbors across the street!